Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide, with an estimated global prevalence of 25%, liver-specific mortality of 0.77 persons per 1,000, and overall mortality of 11.77 per 1,000 person-years (1). It has long been debated whether alcohol consumption influences the course of NAFLD. Three of the most recent studies have shed light over this important issue. In a study conducted in the United States, alcohol consumption of at least 30 g/day for men and 15 g/day for women was associated with increased mortality in individuals with fatty liver and metabolic syndrome (2). In a Finnish study, even low alcohol intake in fatty liver disease was associated with increased risks for advanced liver disease and cancer (3). Finally, in a South Korean study, even though low alcohol consumption was linked to a decreased risk of incident hepatic steatosis, the same levels of low alcohol consumption were associated with a higher risk of developing advanced liver fibrosis in those subjects who progressed to more severe NAFLD over time (4).
Highlights
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide, with an estimated global prevalence of 25%, liver-specific mortality of 0.77 persons per 1,000, and overall mortality of 11.77 per 1,000 person-years (1)
In a South Korean study, even though low alcohol consumption was linked to a decreased risk of incident hepatic steatosis, the same levels of low alcohol consumption were associated with a higher risk of developing advanced liver fibrosis in those subjects who progressed to more severe NAFLD over time (4)
The modest alcohol consumption was linked to a decreased risk of incident hepatic steatosis but in the small subgroup of subjects who progressed to more severe NAFLD over time; the same low levels of alcohol consumption were associated with a higher risk of developing hepatic steatosis and with intermediate/high chances of advanced liver fibrosis (4)
Summary
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide, with an estimated global prevalence of 25%, liver-specific mortality of 0.77 persons per 1,000, and overall mortality of 11.77 per 1,000 person-years (1). It has long been debated whether alcohol consumption influences the course of NAFLD. In a study conducted in the United States, alcohol consumption of at least 30 g/day for men and 15 g/day for women was associated with increased mortality in individuals with fatty liver and metabolic syndrome (2). In a South Korean study, even though low alcohol consumption was linked to a decreased risk of incident hepatic steatosis, the same levels of low alcohol consumption were associated with a higher risk of developing advanced liver fibrosis in those subjects who progressed to more severe NAFLD over time (4)
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